Th Supporting Statement Part B

SUPPORTING STATEMENT – Part B

U.S. Department of Commerce

Economic Development Administration

EDA Regional Economic Development Collection Instrument

OMB Control Number: None (new information collection)

2. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

The following methods cover how EDA will collect information for the Tech Hubs program.

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

No statistical methods like sampling or imputing will be used. All 31 Tech Hubs (defined below) are expected to answer the questionnaire. Thus, no sampling is required. The information collected via the questionnaire is not available through any other data sources. Missing data will be treated as such and no imputation will be used to fill in missing data.

Respondent Universe: The respondent universe includes all 31 Designated Tech Hubs. Each Tech Hub comprises of consortia members from diverse institutions including universities, private industry, nonprofits, and local governments. Each consortium has an average of 40 members, led by an individual institution, or consortia lead. Additionally, each consortium has a Regional Innovation Officer (RIO) charged with overseeing the Hub’s activities, governance, and submitting the survey responses. There will be no sampling as all consortia designated as Tech Hubs will take the survey.

Response Rate: The response rate is estimated to be 100% This is based on previously established communications and relationships between EDA and the RIOs. EDA has been in extensive communication with Hubs since October 2023, when Designations were first announced. This is the first-time data will be collected. EDA also anticipates a 100% response rate as extensive consultation with industry and survey experts were conducted to reduce the burden to only metrics deemed as priority and could not be captured through external data sources.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection: There is no sampling in this data collection. Instead, it will be responded by the 31 Regional Innovation Officers knowledgeable of the Hub’s activities and core technology.

Estimation procedure: This is not applicable to this data collection.

Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification: This is not applicable to this collection effort.

Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures: This is not applicable to this collection effort.

Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden: This survey will be collected only once to better understand past and current activities of Hub prior to receiving any funding from EDA. Data and information collection to understand Hub progress after receiving funding will be handled through a separate effort.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

Plans to maximize response rate: EDA will leverage existing relationships with each of the 31 RIOs. Since October 2023, EDA has been in extensive and constant communication with each Hub and, as a result, has developed strong relationships. Under the terms of their grant award, the Hubs have also agreed to participate in surveys and evaluations. RIOs will be trained on how to respond the survey and will be given aids (including a survey-specific scratchpad) to facilitate the data collection process.

Handling non-response biases: The main goal of this data collection is to understand each Hub’s past and current activities prior to receiving any funding from EDA. In the unlikely event of a Hub not responding, it will only affect EDA’s ability to learn about that particular Hub’s activities prior to receiving funding. That will not affect the EDA’s ability to learn about other Hubs’ activities.

Anticipated adequacy of responses: The selected respondents represent the core of individuals involved and leading the Tech Hub efforts. Each RIO should have access to identify and collect aggregated data for all requested responses.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents. A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separately or in combination with the main collection of information.

No tests of procedures or methods will be undertaken. The respondents (i.e., the RIOs) are experts in their domains and are knowledgeable about their Hub’s context, activities and goals. The questionnaire only asks for relevant information that the RIOs should be able to easily get. Furthermore, RIOs will be trained on how to respond the survey via webinars, and the survey team will be on-call and available in case any respondent requires additional guidance. Although no tests will be undertaken, EDA will request Hub feedback through informal discussions and emails. Feedback will be voluntary for all Hubs and will be used to refine future data collection and survey efforts. The scope of this survey is to better understand prior and current activities of the Tech Hubs prior to receiving grant funding. However, feedback will inform priority metrics and questions for future data collection efforts that aim to track progress.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

Design: Dr. Miguel Sarzosa, Lead Economist, The MITRE Corporation

7032698521

Hallie Davis, Program and Management Analyst, Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce; [email protected]